By Dana Cole | Benson News-Sun
Upset about the city’s proposed new code revisions and the implementation of a Development Services Director, members of the community who are calling themselves a “watchdog group,” have organized a public forum where the codes will be discussed.
“People all over Benson and the San Pedro Valley have been hearing talk about the new Chapter 7 codes, but not everyone knows what these codes are,” said J.T. Moffett, who opposes the codes and is one of the forum’s organizers.
One of the biggest concerns that opponents of the codes have, is language they believe levels criminal charges against citizens whose properties are not in compliance with the codes and who fail to meet specific compliance timelines set by the city. In addition, they fear the “Development Services Director” title gives the city Building Official Luis Garcia “unprecedented authority.”
